Clothing Liner for Aquatic Environments

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention allows the use of conventional swimwear while preventing potentially embarrassing or uncomfortable effects of swimwear clinging to the user&#39;s body caused by leaving the water. The invention involves the use of a material porous enough to allow air to pass but prevents water trapped in the swimwear from causing it to cling to the user&#39;s skin.

BACKGROUND

When people wear swimwear and get into the water, a common issue arises when the user gets out of the water as water fills all of the openings and cavities in the fabric. When the user exits the water, the water filled openings prevent the air from passing through them. As a result, there is a vacuum created between the fabric and the user.

As a result of the vacuum, the swimwear tends to “cling” to the user's skin. This can lead to several potentially negative effects. First, it can cause the user to feel the outside air is colder than the actual temperature since the air is directly cooling the water which is directly cooling the skin. Second, it can make the swimwear difficult to take off as it is effectively adhering to the user. Third, the vacuum make parts of the body more pronounced through the fabric, which raises issues of modesty.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention in various exemplary embodiments prevents swimwear from adhering to various parts of the body. This regulates temperature and comfort while addressing modesty issues. This is accomplished in part by the placement of materials with certain properties where it prevents a vacuum forming between the user and the swimwear when the user leaves the water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1a shows a first exemplary embodiment of the invention configured as a modesty panel in a swimsuit.

FIG. 1b shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1a incorporated into a swimsuit.

FIG. 2a shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention configured as a front cover panel in a swimsuit.

FIG. 2b shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2a incorporated into a swimsuit.

FIG. 3a shows a third exemplary embodiment of the invention configured as a sleeve in a swimsuit.

FIG. 3b shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3a incorporated into a swimsuit.

FIG. 4a shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention configured as a separate undergarment used in concert with a swimsuit.

FIG. 4b shows the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4a used in concert with a swimsuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is made from a lightweight and water resistant material such as nylon/spandex blend. The material used may be any known to those skilled in the art that allows for the passing of gases but restricts liquids. The exemplary embodiment may use a single layer of fabric or multiple layers of fabric depending on the fabric thickness and other properties. An advantage of the exemplary embodiment is that is assists in temperature regulation by restricting contact between the user and swimwear, which creates a perceptible temperature change against a user's skin when the user leaves the water due to the water retained by the swimwear.

The first embodiment is a front concealer 100 that consists of a modesty panel 102 that is strategically positioned against a sensitive area or an area to be covered due to modesty. The exemplary embodiment is coupled to the swimwear 150 in a location such as over the genital area of a swimwear 150. The exemplary embodiment prevents the swimwear 150 from sticking to the covered area when the user leaves the water while the rest of the swimwear 150 adheres to the user due to a suction. Additionally, the potential vacuum becomes compromised by the presence of the front concealer 100 creating a small cavity where the front concealer 100 prevents the swimwear 150 from adhering to the user in the area covered by the front concealer 100 when the user leaves the water.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a panel concealer 200 is coupled to the inner surface of the swimwear 150 in the front orientation. The panel concealer 200 comprises the modesty panel 102 and panel liners 202 that are sewn together. The second exemplary embodiment covers the front upper legs and lower torso. As described above, the presence of the panel concealer 200 prevents the swimwear 150 from adhering to the user when they leave the water. Further, the modesty panel 102 and the panel liners 202 may be sewn together or created as a single unit without departing from the scope of the invention.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a suit concealer 300 lines the inner surface of the swimwear 150 on all sides. The suit concealer 300 comprises the modesty panel 102 and a suit liner 302 that is sewn together. The suit concealer 300 forms a barrier between the swimwear 150 and the user. As described above, the presence of the exemplary embodiment prevents the swimwear 150 from adhering to the user when they leave the water. Further, the modesty panel 102 and the suit liner 302 may be sewn together or created as a single unit without departing from the scope of the invention.

A fourth exemplary embodiment comprises a leg concealer 400 that is worn by the user and encircles the users upper legs and lower torso. The leg concealer 400 comprises the modesty panel 102 and a leg liner 402 that is sewn together. The leg concealer 400 forms a barrier between the swimwear 150 and the user. As described above, the presence of the exemplary embodiment prevents the swimwear 150 from adhering to the user when they leave the water. Further, the modesty panel 102 and the leg liner 402 may be sewn together or created as a single unit without departing from the scope of the invention.

All the above described exemplary embodiments may be made from a single or multiple layers of fabric of varying thickness for modesty and thermal regulation. An example would be where the modesty panel 102 is thicker than the panel liner 202 or suit liner 302. The increased thickness may be accomplished by using material of different thickness. An alternate method would have multiple layers of the same thickness material used for the modesty panel 102.

Additional exemplary embodiments of the invention can be adapted for either gender.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that embodiments provide improved garments for use in aquatic environments. Although specific embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This specification is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of embodiments. In particular, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the names and terminology are not intended to limit embodiments. Furthermore, additional apparatus can be added to the components, functions can be rearranged among components, and new components corresponding to future enhancements and future physical devices used in embodiments can be introduced without departing from the scope of the invention. The terminology used in this application is intended to include all embodiments and alternatives which provide the same functionality as described herein. 

1. A permeable barrier coupled to a garment and located adjacent to a user's body, comprising: At least one panel of porous material.
 2. The permeable barrier of claim 1, wherein said permeable barrier is positioned between a specific piece of a user's body and said garment.
 3. The permeable barrier of claim 1, wherein said permeable barrier is positioned between at least one side of a user's body and said garment.
 4. The permeable barrier of claim 1, wherein said permeable barrier is positioned between said user's body and said garment.
 5. The permeable barrier of claim 1, wherein said porous material is polyester.
 6. The permeable barrier of claim 1, wherein said porous material is spandex.
 7. The permeable barrier of claim 1, wherein said porous material is neoprene.
 8. The permeable barrier of claim 1, Wherein said porous material allows gas to pass from a first side of said porous material to a second side of said porous material; and Wherein said porous material does not allow liquid to pass from a first side of said porous material to a second side of said porous material.
 9. The permeable barrier of claim 8, where said permeable barrier prevents a vacuum from forming between said garment and said user's body.
 10. The permeable barrier of claim 9, where said vacuum is prevented when said user exits an aquatic environment.
 11. The permeable barrier of claim 9, where said vacuum is prevented in the areas where said permeable barrier is adjacent to said user's body.
 12. A garment for aquatic environments, consisting: An outer layer; and An inner layer made from a porous material.
 13. The garment from claim 12, Wherein said porous material allows gas to pass from a first side of said porous material to a second side of said porous material; and Wherein said porous material does not allow liquid to pass from a first side of said porous material to a second side of said porous material.
 14. The garment of claim 12, wherein said inner layer comprises a modesty cover.
 15. The garment of claim 12, wherein said inner layer comprises a panel.
 16. The garment of claim 12, wherein said inner layer comprises a sleeve. 